nest egg

James Merrell

Pictures from photography websites are always inspiring... You never know what you're gonna get. In this case, James Merrell has quite an impressive collection.  

 

 

 

 

photos via james merrell's website

Have a great weekend everyone!

Bowls

Nesting Bowls....right up my alley. 

Aren't a nesting bowl type person? You might want to reconsider.

For the earthy, organic type:

1. CB2 bowls

 

spotted via MetHome- for the unique story about them click here.

For the cheery and kid-friendly type:

Conran Usa bowls

or multicolor bowls from William Sonoma

For the practical, no-nonsense type:

Mini-glass bowl set

For the eclectic, trendy type:

Lotus Flower Bowls

spotted via elements of style

For the functional, utilitarian type:

Stainless (Nesting) Mixing Bowls

For the simple, classic type:

Roost stoneware bowls

For the funky, hipster type (Last but Least $)

Rachael Ray bowls

Take your pick.

{note to month}

Dear July,

Please slow down.

You've gone by so fast it makes me frown.

May and June flashed by like a blur-

and YOU were no different- Hoyt would concur.

With your thirty days in the middle of summer,

you BRING ON the BUGS- and it's really a bummer.

You've brought sunshine and blooms, perhaps a crepe myrtle.

Oh, and let's not forget- my baby box turtle.

Your heat was unbearable- could it get any worse?

With enough humidity to make the painters curse.

I've met with new clients, wrapped up a few jobs...

and enjoyed what's in season- your corn on the cob(s).

A trip to Memphis to see my friend's new abode

only to set off the alarm without knowing the code.

(oops!)

Then walked down an aisle and watched my friend get married

in these pretty dresses-

 

gorgeous bouquets we carried...

The ceremony, the dancing- nothing was flawed...
and I reunited with one of my girls from abroad!

Who am I-- Shel Silverstein?? blogging while rhyming?

I blame this on you, and your exceptionally bad timing.

Dear July, this is not a threat---

but please tell August I'm not ready for him yet.

<all photos from yours truly, except for the corn-on-cob pic- yes, that's me-courtesy of my mother>

Neutral Home

Just getting back into town from a wedding weekend in Atlanta... Laundry all over the place, emails galore, and a little present from Hobbes:

Even though we spoil him with a house sitter he likes to remind us that he does NOT enjoy being left on the weekends.

While I play catch-up I wanted to leave you with some eye candy this Monday morning. 

Most of you remember this home from a recent House Beautiful article because of the bold kitchen...

 

 

But do you remember the rest of the house?

 

Designer Christina Rottman

Photos by Mikkel Vang

Dorm Room

I had someone email me recently about dorm rooms. She is sending her oldest daughter off to her first year in college to..... a concrete hole in the wall?

Okay, maybe I'm being dramatic.

 A cinderblock closet.

Believe it or not, I'm not a fan of hiring a decorator to come in and dress up your college room to the nines- it is just a dorm room and is very temporary. BUT, I do think it is important to make yourself at home and let it reflect who you are. 

But no one wants to take a bunch of $$ from their nestegg, right?

THE FACTS

Two strangers are living together.

In my experience anytime you mix girls and dorm rooms you get ------> stimulation overload! Lots of colors coming from clothes on the floor, pictures on the wall, textbooks all over the place, sharpies in every color... I mean, LOTS of color. I say this same thing to clients who want to build kid lockers in a mudroom. They want to paint it a bright, fun color but I have to remind them that everything that is going inside that child's locker is bright and fun. So don't jump the gun on colors because believe me- there will be plenty of it.

Some people like to match with their roommate. But what if you show up and your roommate whips out Sponge-Bob-Square-Pants bedding? I, for one, think it's much more interesting (and realistic) to do your own thing and not worry about matching. After all- two totally different people are sharing a room closet. No reason to hide it...

THE LESSON

You don't want to go overboard but you also don't want to be boring so it's good to decorate your room in moderation. In fact, it's good to do everything in college in moderation.

THE SCENARIO

In this particular case we have a roommate that purchased a black/white bedding set with hot pink piping. I imagine it is a graphic pattern with not much pink involved.

For me? I'll choose fairly neutral bedding and add my own bursts of color throughout. I'm not a big fan of hot pink so I'll probably not include it in my own bedding and just incorporate some black or white.

THE BED

For the bedskirt I'll probably go with this route from the bedroom makeover post- inexpensive, simple, and you can make it as long as you want. {check out the post for more information on how to make it}

 or even a lighter colored burlap: 

with this comforter set:

from west elm. This kind of thing is easy to wash, simple yet feminine--- and you won't get sick of it!

I'm going to add color with my sheet selection because if I ever experience stimulation overload I can just throw my duvet cover on top and voila! all white bedding. 

 

 I'll jazz it up with these fun, pin-stripe sheets..  They come in extra long twin size too- which is what we need!

in blue 

And for the pillows I"ll choose something with a graphic pattern to add some interest-

like these fun ones with a hint of blue in them:

{all from garnet hill}

PB teen has some pillows I like but the blue doesn't really go- so I'll make my own. Plus, it'll be something that no one else has. 

Get a plain white pillow cover  , buy grosgrain ribbon that matches the blue sheets , and make your own box frame pillow. You can even monogram it by adding an iron-on letter in the middle. Like this-

Don't want to make it yourself? Throw one of these blue ones on there-

{both from pbteen}

or if you want to tie in the roomate's black/white theme you could incorporate this pillow somehow... 

{from urban outfitters}

So the bed is done--- and designed in a way that is even better looking when unmade! **you're welcome.

THE STORAGE

Make every attempt to find things that are multi-functional. For example, the bed. Jack it up high and get some storage underneath there! The bedskirt will hide it so you don't need anything fancy.

Even something as simple as this from Ikea:

Although, I did find an even better idea- dry erase storage bins! Because, let's be honest, we can't ever make up our mind on what goes where!

I also thought this would be a good addition:

the anywhere desk from pbteen- when you're not using at as a desk you can use it as a step stool to get up on that high bed of yours... Double function!

THE LIGHTING

I'll bet $$$ that the overhead light fixture is fluorescent. Do me a favor, keep it off. Make it feel like home with a few floor lamps. There probably won't be much room for a bedside table so I would stick with floor lamps wherever possible.

Except on the desk- you can have one of these adorable task lamps:

{both lamps from pbteen}

THE WALLS

Usually there is a limit to how many nails you can put in the wall so you need to keep it to a minimum. This is actually a good thing because nothing makes a tiny room feel more cluttered than a bunch of small,framed pictures on the wall. Remember when you used to collage your entire bathroom with magazine tear outs of Jared Leto? (no? just me?) Well, I'll admit- it didn't look so good. For a cleaner look avoid putting up posters, collages, celebrity crush pictures, etc.  

A way around the nail limitation is gluing framed prints together to make one larger piece of art- 

4-6 pictures, 1 nail. Bingo.

Like these from Ikea:

If you'd rather have pictures of family and friends above the wall get 6 of these frames, fill them with pretty pictures, (*preferably black and white in this particular room) and hang it on the wall:

To tie in the burlap bedskirt we can wrap a bulletin board in that same material and prop it up on your desk area- no nail needed!

+ +

then run that same grosgrain ribbon along the inside edge-

To start off on a good foot with your new roomate it might be nice to make a matching one for her side of the room- different ribbon to match her bedding.

THE WINDOWS & FLOORS

These are the only decisions you'll probably need to make with your roomate. In other words- meet in the middle.  If you want to fool with windows I'd go with something simple like flat roman shades. For this room I would either go with plain white or a more natural material- like bamboo shades.

{both from Target}

and I'd do the same kind of thing for the rug

A jute rug with black border... it'll hold up well and go with everything.

THE CONCLUSION

Don't think too hard. There are so many things to take into consideration that you will drive yourself nuts trying to piece it together before move-in day. Just remember to decorate in moderation, stick to what you like, and be nice to your roomie (even when she snuggles up in her Sponge-Bob blanket).

Dinner Party

I've had two people send me emails over the past few weeks about this wonderful house for sale in Birmingham... because Hoyt and I are on the market for anything above 1 million in the Mtn. Brook area.

I'm kidding.

(Do I even have to state that?)

Because they knew I'd fall out of my chair from lack of breathing after looking at these photos.

For kicks let's fast forward 20 years and play a little game I like to call PRETEND:

Dinner party for all my faithful blog readers- our house!- 8pm- you'll see the balloons on the mailbox...

You'll ring the doorbell with casserole in hand. (wait, this is pretend- no cooking necessary- drop the casserole!)

Hobbes, our butler, will let you inside where you will be escorted to this room and handed a glass of wine. 

Talk amongst yourselves...

Then we will gather around my favorite room in the house, hold hands, thank the Lord, and fill our plates with gourmet food. (Oh yes, it's catered by Frank Stitt. Thanks Frank!)

If you want to come back for seconds there will plenty in my impeccable kitchen. You can stay in here as long as you want- I know, it's amazing.

Oh wait, football is on? Sure honey, you can watch it- but while you're standing there you might as well help clean up! Our butler doesn't have opposable thumbs so he can't help much.

 After dessert we can all pile in here on the TV loungers and watch a Disney movie... 

Alright, alright... Disney movie in here. Football can be in the TV lounger bedroom. Oh, please excuse the dollhouse- my daughter likes to play PRETEND. I have no idea where she gets it??!!

You're not allowed in the bedroom. 

But if you feel that you were over-served you are welcome to stay in this room.

Hoyt, if you are reading this- i think it's still on the market!! 

See you guys in 20 years.

*For the record- this house is beautiful. This post turned out silly but sarcasm aside- I dream of owning a home like this when I get older. Not too big, not too small. Simple exterior- nothing too flashy! And tastefully done on the inside. 

Bedroom on a Budget

Today you will find me over at Style Blueprint, home of Nashville style!  Liza, one of my super-stylish clients, put me up to a challenge to spruce up my guest bedroom on a budget. 

Here's a preview:

Also, if you live in Nashville (or anywhere else for that matter!) you need to add styleblueprint to one of your daily reads. You know those people that find fabulous deals and then keep them to themselves???? I don't either. I think it has to do with living in the south... but this blog is like a secret (southern) club that shares all sorts of deals and steals!

Liza (and Elizabeth), thank you putting me up to the challenge and allowing me to guest-host on your awesome blog!! 

To all my readers- check it out. You won't regret it!

Click HERE to see the post.

Up.

Hoyt and I finally saw the movie Up last night. We both absolutely loved it!

It's a touching and precious story that reminds us to appreciate every step of the way... 

If I were to float in a little house to Paradise Falls I wouldn't mind if it looked like one of these:

Architectural Digest, designer Jeffrey Bilhuber

Architectural Digest, Toad Hall- Architecture by Jack Davis, Interior Design by Suzanne Kasler

the above 3 images are Carmel-by-the-sea cottages in Carmel,CA via Linda Yvonne flickr images

Cottage Living, designer Jason Oliver Nixon

Cottage Living, designer Jeremy Samuelson

via elements of style

via country living

via cottage living, designer Peter Bahouth

thomas callaway design

 

via simply seleta

Cottage Living designer Inn Karlin

a gingerbread house by Martha Stewart

If my imaginary house is going to be floating across the country it might as well be edible, right? 

 

The house from Up-

Have you seen it yet?

If not, go tonight. 

Mr. Vanity

One of the biggest (if not THE BIGGEST) perks of my job is seeing things come to life. I feel like a lot of people have those perks- scientists, artists, builders... their ideas at some point turn into something tangible. 

It's no wonder the Disney creators assigned names to all of their little sketches. They made teapots, candelabras, rugs, and clocks come to life! It's why the anticipation of Disney World is so exciting for kids- because the Mrs. Potts that they've seen on paper and a TV screen for so many years--? You get to see her, shake her hand and even take pictures with her!!!

So when I get an idea in my head I sketch it out on paper, pass the sketch along to the builder or fabricator, and wait... hoping that it will come to life so I can experience my grown-up Disney World moment.

I'm finishing up a project where the the wife wants her powder room to be the one room with LOTS of color! In fact, at first she wanted her whole house to be painted different, easter-egg colors but I wouldn't let her. I think people get too excited about paint colors that they end up limited with what they put in the room. She agreed. So we stuck with a more neutral color palette throughout the house. But the powder room-? Her secret haven.

So we picked out red glass tiles for the floor and a bright, fun wallpaper for the walls (and ceiling!) 

 The husband, Mike, is a Master of the Arts. He is one of the rare people in this world that can visualize something AND create it!!! His talent is through the roof- literally. But as you can imagine when building his own house he was experiencing creative OVERLOAD! So he recruited me for help. 

When it came time for the vanity design I wanted something that was more masculine and industrial to counteract the wallpaper and tiles.

I quickly sketched a picture of an imaginary Mr. Vanity and handed it over to Mike....

"Wrapped metal? Seriously?" was the response.

"yeeaaahh, but the wrapped metal legs taper a little...you know, flare out at the bottom."

(silence)

"I'll see what I can come up with."

Months went by as the house continued to evolve... plumbing, tile, wallpaper...

And just yesterday I went by to check on the progress, walked into the powder room, and 

POOF!

My heart skipped a beat.

And there, right where I imagined, was  Mr. Vanity standing tall and proud.... 

 

with his nice, solid top and handsome, steel legs...

(that flare out a little, might I add!*)

Perfect.

A nice fit for Mrs. Potts, wouldn't you agree?

That's Mary Catherine. You'll hear more about her in the future as I plan on making her my full time assistant.

I realize that it's easy to love seeing things come to life when you miss all the work in between! So props to all of you who can build, fabricate and construct. I have no idea how you do it but I continue to be amazed...  And I'm thankful for people like you. In this case, a special thanks to Mike for making my Disney dreams come true!

More photos of the rest of the house to come...

For more on Mike's work click here.

And to book a vacation to Disney World click here.

Getaway Camp

I remember reading this article in House Beautiful last year and thinking 3 things:

1. Different yet charming.

2. The builders must have reeeeally complained about that built-in refrigerator.

3. I want to go to there.

 Napa Valley, anyone?

the fridge*

INTERIOR DESIGN BY KEN FULK; INTERVIEW BY CHRISTINE PITTEL; PHOTOGRAPHS BY VICTORIA PEARSON